As a result of a string of serious slip accidents, a leisure
centre called in specialists from the Health and Safety Laboratory
to assess the slipperiness of a recently installed floor in the
swimming pool changing areas.

Although well specified, careful examination of the floor
surface revealed the existence of several small areas of epoxy
within the floor where anti-slip particles were missing. These
areas were found to be where the slipping accidents had
occurred.

HSE research has shown that the surface roughness of
'bare' epoxy flooring i.e. areas with little or no
distribution of anti-slip particles, can be extremely low. This may
lead to low coefficient of friction values and hence extreme
slipperiness.

The flooring contractor was recalled to the site and instructed
to re-apply anti-slip material to the effected areas. No
significant slip accidents have been recorded since this
action.